Toy vehicle.



F.- H. WEBSTER.

TOY VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. 1916.

1203, 138. Patented Oct. 31,1916,

INVENTOI? --4 ATTORNEYS FAY H. WEBSTER, 0F MARVELL, ARKANSAS.

TOY VEHICLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

Application filed March 29, 1916. Serial No. 87,473.

provide an improved drive means in which the reaction of a stretchedrubber strand is utilized to create a torque in a drive axle or likerotary driven element.

A more particular object is to so arrange the drive connection of theelastic strand with the driven element, that the latter will be freedfrom the direct action of the elastic strand after an impulse by thestrand, to permit the axle to attain a prolongation of the impartedmovement under momentum andunimpeded by the said strand.

Other objects, .as well as advantages of the invention will appear asthe description proceeds.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification in which similar reference characters indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a side elevation of a self-propelled toy Vehicle having myinvention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view; Fig. 3 is atransverse vertical section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2; Fig. 41 is a detailplan view of the clutch members on the driven element; Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the loose clutch element.

' I have shown my invention applied to a toy vehiclein which the body isindicated by the numeral 10. The vehicle includes a base board 11secured to the body in any suitable manner. In the example shown, thebase board has an edge flange 12, and the body is formed with tongues 13engaging the base board.

The numeral 1 1 indicates a front axle and 15 a rear, axle, each havingrunning wheels 16. On the drive axle, which in the present example, isthe rear axle 15, a clutch member 17 is fixedly secured through themediumof a set screw 18 or other means. A mating clutch element 19 isloose on the axle and may shift longitudinally of the axle relatively tothe fixed clutch element 17.

I provide one or more strands of rubber, indicated by the numeral 20 andfasten one end thereof to the vehicle or other article, the fastening inthis instance being effected by a hook21 at the front of the vehiclenear one side thereof. The rubber strand extends from the hook 21oblique to the axle 15, and is secured to the loose clutch element Theconnection of the rubber strand with the clutch element 19 is effectedthrough the medium of a lug 22 on said element. To permit readyengagement of-the rubber strand for renewing the same, a slot is formedat the inner face of the lug 22, said slot being undercut as at 23, atthe base, thereby producing a contracted entrance throat 24. There isalso, at a side of the lug 22, a notch 25 communicating with the rearslot. Thus, the material of the 111g 22 overhangs at two sides toeffectively retain the loop 20 of the double strand of rubber 20, itbeing understood that said strand is preferably formed of rubber band ora plurality of such bands. The opposed facesof the clutch elements, 17,19, are spiral as in.

dicated, respectively, by the numerals, 26, 27, thereby producing matingclutch faces,

By the described arrangement, if the axle 15 be turned backward, as forinstance, by rolling the same on a floor, or other surface, or byinserting a pencil or key between the spokes of one of the rear wheels16, the fixed clutch element 17 will engage-its face 28 with the face 29of the loose clutch element l9 and turn the latter element, therebywinding the rubber strand 29 and stretching the same to place it undertension. Owing to the oblique disposition of the rubber strand 20, saidstrand will be wound onto,

the clutch elements, thereby assisting in holding the loose clutchelement in clutched position. From the clutch elements the prolongationof the movement imparted by the action of the strand since thefixedclutch element and axle are readily freed from the upon the axle.

loose clutch element and hence, freed from any restraining action of thestrand 20, whereas without this arrangement, the momentum would tend toagain wind the rubber strand and thereby arrest turning movement orcause reversal thereof.

The obliquity of the elastic strand is such that its fixed point ofattachment is in a longitudinal line laterally outward from the clutchelements. The efiect of this is that the elastic strand not only iswound about the clutch element but after the winding on said elements,the strand is wound directly The winding of the strand on the clutchelements insures a sufficiently tight grip between the said elements, toprevent the strand from slipping between the elements in the early actof winding, since if a convolution of the strand slipped between theelements, the lateral thrust of the bands tension would not besuflicient to hold the clutches together. The entering of the strandbetween the clutch elements would tend to force them apartnotwithstanding the lateral thrust. Of some importance also, is thedirect winding of the strand on the'axle without the increased diameterof the clutch or spool or the like for the winding of the band since thedirect winding on the axle necessitates a much shorter length of band toproduce a complete revolution of the driving wheels.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A self-driven article including a drive axle, a fixed clutch elementthereon, a clutch element loose on said axle, said clutch elementshaving opposed spiral faces, and an elastic strand disposed oblique tothe axle and connected at one end with said loose element, the oppositeend of said strand being fixed relatively to the said loose element,said strand running in a straight direction directly from the looseclutch element to the fixed end of said strand, and said fixed end beingdisposed laterally of the clutch elements to cause a winding of thestrand first on the said elements and then on the axle.

2; The combination with an axle and a fixed clutch element thereon, of amating clutch element loose on the axle, and an elastic strand to drivesaid axle, said strand being connected at one end with the said looseelement, the opposite end of the strand being relatively fixed, saidstrand being obliquely disposed at such an angle to the said axle as toWind on the said clutch e1ements by the turning of the loose element toretain the clutch elements in engagement and toreact and create a torquein said elements and axle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FAY H. WEBSTER.

Witnesses:

C. W. 00010:, J. B. SWIFT.

